DRAGON'S INC: CAMPAIGN

NARRATION:
With the homeguard loosing its flank, and the dragons bearing down on the city itself, Dragon's Inc. calls forth its powers. The first action is set by each weapon releasing it's dragon to meet the five that are coming down on the town. It is Ryloth who uses the powers that the dragons have given each weapon. He releases an ice storm into the army of the undead and drow, momentarily stopping the collapse of the city guard's flank. Zydrek releases his fireballs, blasting straight through the center of the army. Tegra, seeing the red dragon bearing down on the black knights and where Aegis and his clan are fighting, releases her weapon's power. She grounds the dragon and knocks off it's rider. Sanmourn, high up on a parapet with the other three archers, is releasing arrows faster than can be imagined. Sanmourn is quite impressed as well with the archers with him. They ARE as good as Talon says. But their efforts are little help against the hordes of giants. A group of the giants have come down with a battering ram and are beginning to break down a wall. When Zydrek checks on his mother, he finds that she is fine, just very tired. "It was my strongest spell. It takes alot out of you." she says. All at once a black dragon appears directly in front of Dragon's Inc. (Fox, Tegra, Ryloth, Zydrek, Brand)(Sanmourn is above it). Just as he releases his breath weapon, there is an immense power surge coming from Crow, almost knocking Fox to the ground. The breath weapon of the black dragon hits an invisible force. The dragon screams in anger and flies off. (Emma, I'm not sending you the particulars, this is just what happens.) Twit is the first one to notice it. A lone rider, coming out of the woods. He hollers, "That's Emma!", launching himself from Tegra's shoulder. The speed of the little dragon makes him seem like a red streak. Another rider comes out of the woods. It is a death knight, and he's gaining on Emma. As you can tell, it does not look like Twit will make it in time. At about that time, a runner breaks free from Aegis' clan and the deathknights. His angle seems to be with the intention of cutting off the deathknight. Just as the deathknight is bearing down on Emma, the elf makes it. He leaps in front of the warhorse, just to be trampled under, but it does cause enough confusion to cause the warhorse to throw his rider. Both fighters get to their feet, and in a quick thrust, the knight plunges his sword through the chest of the elf. A small streak of lightening comes from Aegis' group, literally obliterating the knight. Aegis runs out, kneeling down beside the elf. He then stands after a moment. You see that he is looking at the different battles. The giants are beginning to make their way into the city. The fight between the undead and the city guard, the city guard losing. The deathknights taking their toll on his clan. The dragons flying around the city, sometimes two on one battles. You all hear from Talon, "It's now time." You see Aegis take something out and begin to spin it. It flashes as it catches the sunlight. Talon reaches inside of his breastplate, taking out the emblem of the Company of the Wolf (Ryloth notices for the first time that on Talon's shield is also the symbol of Tempest). Talon also begins to spin the emblem, so that it flashes as Aegis' does. Fox does this as well. (DM: Knowing that this is not a brain-dead group, the rest of you would most likely follow suit). Everyone else does the same, following Talon, Aegis and Fox's lead. The fighting at the moment seems to almost cease. The elves of Aegis' clan break off from their battle. The city guard breaks off from it's battle, and all fall back. The armies of the undead, drow, deathknights and giants gather together. Aegis is still standing between the two armies (Good side vs. Bad side). Emma rides up to Aegis, jumps off the horse, smacking the horse on the flank so that it takes off. Talon hits his sword against his shield, causing the knights in the courtyard to make their way outside to just in front of the walls. The dragons, both good and evil, have landed on seperate mountain ranges on each side of the city. At first, it is very faint. It sounds almost like the wind howling, but there is no breeze. Dark clouds begin to form in the blue sky. The howling gets louder, chilling you to the bone. The city is set in a valley between two mountain ranges, with one side being on the coast. Dust begins appearing from these two mountain ranges. Thousands upon thousands of wolves appear. They all are howling in unison, and begin lining the ranges, looking down into the valley at all of you. You feel a surge of energy, and then there is a flash. All of Dragon's Inc., Talon, assorted relatives that are near you, all of you appear in a line with Aegis. You hear what seems to be a great crash behind you. Turning to see, the knights of Talon's order have all dismounted, and they are spreading out. There is now elf, cityguard, and knight, all mixed together in one army. Across the field from them is drow, deathknight, giant and undead, all mingled together in their own army as well. In the middle is you. Talon straps his shield on and pulls out his sword. Aegis wipes the blood off his blades. Emma, grabbing a small sack out of her pouch, pulls forth a blue orb. She holds it in her hands. The weapons of Dragon's Inc. begin to glow blindingly when she does. The dragons scream at the sight as one, rocking the ground you stand upon. Silence suddenly falls over the land. So quiet that the sound of a cricket catches your ear. "Well guys, here we stand." says Aegis. "'Cause you know the second someone flinches, that this will be the final battle. Someone stay with Emma. When Tiamat begins to appear Emma, you're going to be the one who has to stop her." "I will be here with you also." replies Mogwa. A small group of drow comes up front, stopping about fifty feet from you. Each one aligns itself with you, standing directly across from each of you. Aegis being in the center of your group, Black Rose in the center of hers. "Brother, don't you think it's a nice time for a battle?" she says. Aegis looks up at the sky, and then back at Black Rose. "No, I don't." he replies. "I think it's a nice day for you to die." It is Talon and Ryloth that initiate the battle. The two opposites, one that is wild and free, the other that is committed and burdened, they give the order. Ryloth yelling "It's a good day to die!" Talon, yelling, "Charge!" The two groups, the two armies, all run at each other, and crash. (DM's NOTES: AC for drow group directly in front of you is -3; all other drow is 1; giants AC is 5; deathknights AC is -1; undead just need to be hit; Black Rose AC is -8. REMEMBER you are in EXTREMELY close quarters.)

ScarletFoxL:
So that's what is ment by the "company of the wolf". Seeing the lines be drawn reminds me of the time long ago when I stood where Aegis does. I set forward in front of Emma when Ryloth gives the word. And I attack the nearest drow while protecting Emma. (Hit rolls:19 ac-6,25 ac-12, 22 ac-9..Dam 20, 20, 19 total 59pts) And I ready myself to defend Emma.

Brand:
Overcome by some strange feeling from across time and space, Brand is driven to look across the battlefield at Talon and Aegis and mutter, "Congratulations." He looks at the others of the group. "Now let's ALL go home!" He turns to the drow facing him, balancing his hate of these despicable creatures with the cold steel of experience. Singing something about a terrible swift sword, he lights into the nearest drow, always keeping Emma in his peripheral vision when possible. (Roll for me please, Mr. DM at home!)

Zydrek:
As we stand amidst two armies, I look around and agree wholeheartedly with Ryloth. It is a great day to die. As Talon yells charge and we get close enough to the drow, I plunge Thrane into the first one I can. 18 to hit and 23 points damage. I turn to look and make sure Emma is ok and turn back to the battle at hand. This is surely going to be a long one and to the death...

Ryloth:
With a savage smile, Ryloth can see the end of his quest withing sight. As Aegis and Black Rose have their little discourse, Ryloth crouches (naked blades in hand) so that he may soon rush headlong into the horde of his most hated foe. (D.M. please recall that drow are Ryloth's species enemy as a ranger). To himself he whispers, "It IS a good day to die." When the exchange is finished, he rushes towards the mass of his enemy and a cry escapes his lips. A cry like none other he has ever uttered. It is the sound of both the hunter, and the prey. It does not sound like a human sound. It is as if the whole of the wilderness roars through him as he rushes forth with the swiftness of a fleeing hare, and the thoughts of the hunting wolf. Ryloth, is in a whir of motion as soon as he reaches his enemies. rolling.......Ryloth strikes four times (20, 13, 13, 16) the damage for each of which is 16, 14, 15, and 12. (possible extra damage for the natural 20 pending)

NARRATION
Caught by surprise from the attacks of Dragon's Inc. Ryloth, Fox, and Zydrek frist foes fall fast. Tegra fighting with hers and keeping the other drow at bay that is tring to get to Emma. Talon also kills his foe rather quickly running haed long into the the battle. "Samourn he are no match on that battle field what are we to do?" replies one of the archers. Sanmourn noticing two things one that the giants are taller than the rest and two that everyone is fighting in one area that is not far from the east wall. At the moment he see's that the dragons are taking flight both groups heading for each other, he also notices that the battle is making it's way to the city. People are standing all around the walls.

Sanmourn
Grinning wildly, Sanmourn stares at the giants and at the east wall. "Why..." he answers, "..we will bring them to us! Move to the east wall...quickly! We can at least take the giants out of this battle....they will be easier to target than the others. I'm going to move below, beneath the wall and draw their attentions. If we're lucky, they'll be drawn away from the others and you men can pick them off as I taunt their inflated egos!" Leaping down the steps, Sanmourn races outside the wall and targets the nearest giant. Still grinning, Sanmourn lets loose with his arrows....fire, lightning, ice...fire, lightning, ice......"Come to me giants! Come and swat the little man....!"

NARRATION:
Sanmourn scans the giants finally seeing the one that he wants to pick on. The giant is the only one that is caring swords. The knights that are tring to take him down are no match for this one. The arrows fly from his bow. The frist three knock him backwards. The next three take him down. The cheer comes not from the people on the field but the civilans that have gathered on the wall with the archers. There is a large roar that comes from the other giants and they head right for him. Sanmourn heads back for the wall. When he gets in the gate he see's more folks of the city that have gathered. These folks however have taken up arms. They are a rad tag group of people. They carry a bunch of different weapons, swords, hammers, rakes ,clubs, you name it they have it. There are some in armor most are not. There is old and young alike, men and women even some children. An old drawf comes up to you. "We have put more acrher's on the wall. This is were we live, we have no were to go. They are losing the battle aren't they." Sanmourn looks back at the battle and can only nod a yes. "Then help us, help them. These folks are scared and they need someone to tell them what to do. We know that Talon and the Ancient One is out there and we know who you are. Well you help us? show us what to do." Has Sanmounr looks up at the group of folks that have come to look at him. He can see that they ARE looking at him for what to do. Meanwhile the battle contiunes on. Aegis and Blackrose have been lost in the battle itself. Tegra and Emma have been surrounded by a bunch of death knights. Tegra is swriling her swords tring to keep them at by. "I NEED HELP HERE" she scearms. One knight gets a cut on Emma only to lose his hand to Tegra. DM"S NOTE If you do not play your character then I will. So far some of you are doing a great job. ONLY two can get to Emma and Tegra in time. Brand and Ryloth the others are to busy with fighting. DAMAGE COMING NEXT ROUND GET READY.

ScarletFox:
As the force of the masses pushs me away from Emma, I do a quick scan to see if any of the "good guys" are out in frontof me. If not I release "Moonbite" 40yards in front. If there is friend in front, I start to fight may way there. I am directing my attacks at two in front (AC -14 , -4, nat 20 Dam 20, 15, 68) Either attack I yell to Tegra "Hold your ground we are coming". I am think about my CotW medalon, hoping the medalon will send to Dragon Inc "We need to form a circle around Emma, GET TO HER!!"

Ryloth:
Ryloth, hearing the cry of his distressed and endangered wife activates his druidic powers, in a now familiar trick. In an instant, Ryloth transforms into a preshistoric mammoth of gargantuan size, and makes a b-line towards Emma and Tegra. His trunk and tusks hurl away what enemies do not run, and his tree like legs crush those beneath him. I rolled dexterity checks so as not to crush any companions, and succeeded with ease. Once he arrives at the Death Knights, he shifts back into his elven form to defend both Emma and Tegra.

Tegra:
Tegra works feverishly to protect herself and Emma, and sees Ryloth coming. She shakes her head mentally as she takes off the deathknights hand, mumbling, "Not fast enough....more important than personal revenge..." She forces her concentration to drag away from all the drow, fighting the terrible urge that's growing to leave her position and fly amongst the lot of them, taking as much blood as she can. "Got to get protection for Emma, somehow..." A smile curls her lips as a thought comes. Still on the defensive against the deathknights surrounding them, she begins a chant, keeping time with the rings her swords make as they block the blows raining on them.

"Teleport twice this day, one left for saving grace;
Bring forth my comrades at my side, to slow the evil's pace.
Company of the Dragon, the Wolf, seperate no more we fight;
medallion, jewel, Orb of Garwig,
Together we reunite."

NARRATION:
Tegra, being heavily outnumbered, unknowingly calls forth powers without knowing the outcome. However, what she was hoping for, she got...to the extreme. Even above the noise of the battle, you hear a voice. "You have called forth the powers of the Orb!".

The howling of the wolves begins once again. A small number of these wolves come running out of the woods in your direction. As they get closer to you, you see them beginning to shape-change as they run. The first person you recognize from the wolves metamorphisis is Shandassar, next is Arcaban...then Silk. A dwarf in platemail, a red-headed female elf that has a striking similarity to Sanmourn. A male elf, that when you look at him, and look at Aegis, you would swear you're looking at a mirror. Next is a human in robes, carrying an ornate staff, then an extremely large white wolf that goes to the red-headed elf and stands beside her. A human female in armor, carrying a two-handed sword is next to change in front of you, followed by another female elf that goes and stands beside Silk.

Aegis turns and looks at Dragon's Inc. "I would like for you to meet the fellow members of the Company of the Wolf, until recently, departed from this world." As he begins to introduce the different members, he is smiling, but there are tears coming from his eyes at the same time. "The dwarf you see before you is Pike, the little lady with the white wolf is Lita. The woman here with all the armor is Marta. The gentleman here in robes like Shandassar (Aegis smiles and laughs to himself) is No-Name." As Aegis is speaking, there are still more coming forward, forming a large group behind and around you, and Aegis nods a greeting at each. Aegis then turns to the gentleman who looks like him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Tegra, this is my brother, Raven." He then turns to the last individual, the female elf. They stand for a moment in silence, looking at each other. She finally raises one of her hands and lightly touches the side of his face. "You are my ancient one.." she speaks softly, "I am Kayla. I am the ancient one's wife." She glances briefly around at the others. "We have been called forth I see. We are all here, both old and new. It is time my love...for you to come home."

When one of the wolves comes forth and changes form, you see that he appears to be just a regular human. He wears studded leather and carries a short sword. He also has a shield that has the same emblem as Talon's shield. Talon suddenly drops his shield on the ground, walking over to the human. Talon falls on his knees in front of him. The large human that you have always seen in battle as strong, unbending, true in his ways, is crying like a man who has never grieved before. "My son...I am so sorry." The human replies back to him, "It was not your fault. There was nothing that you could have done."

The present danger impedes on everyone's minds, a screech piercing the air. Talon jerks his head toward Black Rose. For the first time, you notice what's been happening on the other side. The ones you notice are Ice and Zarbor, also back. There is another female drow there, with a striking resemblence to Ice. There are humans, elves and drow all formed across from you. Your numbers are equal. The screech, however, comes from a beast...

The creature stands on two legs. From the tip of it's horns at its forehead, to its long tail is a good fifty feet. It's horns and it's claws are razor sharp. Though it's jaws are closed, you see teeth exposed that are at least eight inches long. It makes another horrendous screech. Talon's sword glows brightly, almost dimming the light around you. "It will NOT DO IT AGAIN!" Talon screams. Grabbing his shield, the two rush headlong toward each other. Aegis tries to reach out to stop Talon, screaming "NO it's not time!", but he is not fast enough. You hear weapons being drawn. Aegis screams out again, "Dragon's Inc., all these people have mortal enemies, including you! Attack WHO YOU KNOW!" Once again, there is the rush of the two groups. Everyone can feel the power of magic in the air, and the clouds come over, bringing wind down upon you. Rain falls on the field, pools of red beginning to form on the ground. There is a noise that all begin to hear. (Boom)...(Boom)...(Boom)...

ScarletFox:
As I feel myself being ported there, I'm glad. Upon seeing my best friends Pike and No-Name, and my sister Lita and Topaz. I tell them its time for the battle once again, stand as we did once before. But you shall lead Lita, my place is here to protect Dragon's Inc. Fight as we once did, KNOW!! And I attach whom every they send to get to Emma. (AC -2, 0, -6: DAM 24, 19, 17) For who dares to hurt Emma.

Sanmourn:
Standing before the people of the city, Sanmourn shakes his head slightly...."I am no leader.." he mutters slowly. Thoughts run rampant through his mind of his past actions, his past failures....his past throttling at the hands of Ryloth....and suddenly he sets his chin and stares back at the people. "If you would protect what is yours...if you would give your lives to help those who would help you...if you would be free from those who seek your imprisonment and eventual death...then together we shall drive these creatures from your lands. Together we shall bring such a great defeat upon them as they have never known!" Holding his bow above his head, Sanmourn releases three arrows in rapid succession...one each of fire, ice and lightning. Watching as the arrows fall amid the giants, Sanmourn turns to the townsfolk and shouts, "There is no need for tactics, no need for stealth...out there among those creatures are my friends...those who would aid you without even knowing your names. Together, we can attack, in full force and head on! Together we fight...together we win this battle!" Leaping ahead of the others, Sanmourn streaks across the battlefield, his bow laying waste all around him......up until he sees the female elf who shares his looks. Stumbling to an abrupt halt, Sanmourn nearly drops his bow as he stares at the woman. "Grandmother..?" he mutters, his eyes searching her face, the lines and shape nearly the exact image of his mother. Unable to move, the young ranger can only stare.....

Zydrek:
As I get teleported next to Tegra, and watch as the family of the Company Of the Wolf start coming out of the woods, I am overcome with thoughts of all the battles that these people must have fought in and can only bleakly think about how they must have come to their demise. I am glad that they are joining us in this effort to make what is wrong, right. Maybe we can make a difference in this world. Just maybe... As the battle continues, I can only contribute a small part in it, but with the help of Set, Thrane and Maltik, along with all the others here, I am sure that we can end this seige in our favor. I plunge headlong into the battle at hand, not knowing what the outcome is going to be or if we can change anything, but when Tiamat shows her ugliness, we will conquer. Of that I am sure. With the Company of the Wolf, Talon's knights and all the others here to help, we are sure to proclaim victory in the end...

Brand:
Brand takes his stand...waiting for the final battle.

NARRATION:
You have always seen the moment (or at least heard) of when your life flashes before your eyes. The images are fragmented and in slow-motion. The phrase that you hear comes from Twit. He is extremely calm. For the first time since appearing outside of Apuch when this started, he is sitting on Zydrek's shoulder, eating his fig. "This is not as it appears."

Mogwa begins to glow very softly white...a mist seems to form around Tegra and the sword. It begins to spin, taking the shape of a young female. The mist slowly solidifies, appearing as a young elf, no older that 120 years, slim features, dark-headed, but green-eyed. She turns toward Tegra. "You have carried me and protected me well. We are still around. This is the ancient one's end."

Aegis lowers his two stilletos, pointing straight in front of him, firing two lightening bolts into the upcoming enemy forces. The female elf turns toward the forces as well, releasing fireballs from her fingertips. Talon, charging at the beast, grows twice his size. In a mighty swoop with his two-handed bastard sword, the beast vanishes.

Tegra raises both her swords, releasing fireballs and lightening bolts at the enemy. Tegra communicates with Ryloth, and the overwhelming feeling he gets is "Now my dear." Ryloth raises Vengeance, releasing his weapons powers. Ryloth begins to shimmer red. His form grows and he turns into a red dragon, releasing the dragon's breath weapon, raking it up and down the lines of the enemy (see what happens when you have the D'Are sword in your hand and use magic?!?!?). He then quickly returns back to his normal form.

Sanmourn pulls back his bow. All three arrows form into one as he begins to randomly pick off the enemy.

Amongst all the confusion of battle, Black Rose has been making her way toward Aegis again. Zydrek hears "this one is for both us", coming from Twit. Zydrek sees a shimmer of light, and Twit says, "Yea, now ya see us, now ya don't!" Zydrek then begins to make his way toward Black Rose, undercover. He also sees Black Rose shimmer, but Twit's magic holds the day, as you can still see her outline. Zydrek begins to make his move also, he and Twit together. As she gets within striking Aegis, him still unaware of her presence, Twit launches himself. He appears again, directly behind her, hovering, and says, "Boo!" Stunned, she spins, automatically swinging one of her swords, leaving her side exposed. Black Rose's surprised stare meets his evil smile, hearing, "Your head is MINE!". Zydrek swings Maltik, catching her in her exposed left side. The next swing catches her in the opposite direction as Thrane, glowing bright red, slices through the air. Black Rose's surprised stare freezes, her hands coming up, almost as if in supplication, until Zydrek see's the thin line of blood form across her neck. She leans back, that same stare on her face, but the movement dislodges what has been done, and her head topples from her neck, landing to stare blindly up at Zydrek from his feet.

Aegis turns stunned, looking from Black Rose's crumbled body to Zydrek's face. He shakes his head. "I'm getting too old for this..."

Suddenly, it stops. When you are able to focus again, and time has seemed to have caught up with the events happening, you see that there is nothing left of the enemy forces. Except for the body of Black Rose. The other members of the Company of the Wolf are just standing there. No weapons were ever drawn by any of them. Scarlet Fox and Brand slowly lower their weapons, looking about them at the now quiet battlefield. So intent on Emma's protection that it takes a few moments for them to realize that the fight around them has stopped. Emma lowers the orb as well, looking about her at the still moving figures of her friends. Aegis' wife steps out from them all. "You are all now as we are. There will always be evil in this world. We must at times gather to balance it." She is the first that retakes the shape of a wolf. The others follow suit. The red-headed wolf that has the resemblence to Sanmourn walks up to him. "I am your grandmother. Things will change...your sorrow and lonliness is now over." She shimmers into a wolf as white as the first fallen snow, and lopes after the others. Twit flies over and lands on Aegis' shoulder, beginning to rummage around Aegis before Aegis stops him and pulls out a fig from his pocket, handing it to him. He turns to Dragon's Inc., shaking his head again. "I'm really too old for this.... I'm proud of all of you. Number one, you're alive. Number two, I'm offically retired...RIGHT NOW!" Tegra's cloak is glowing softly blue during this, enough now that everyone notices it. The new young elf speaks in a soft voice, "We've learned alot. We have kept our world as it should be...but always remember, it will return. Tegra, we are safe for now." The young elf then walks over to Emma. She places her hands with Emma's on the orb. "This is our essence. You are the young one. Protect it. Guard it well." The young elf then seems to shimmer, turning misty again, this time dissipating into the air instead of back into the jewel on Mogwa's hilt.....

50 years later...

...Scarlet Fox lolls in an ornate throne, a wine glass in one hand, a piece of cheese in the other. A young human is pleading his case before the bored Fox of why he was stealing the magistrate's master key to all the businesses in Apuch. The human finally in desperation states the end of his case with, "But Silk would have understood..!" Fox shakes his smiling. "Wrong answer." The boy is led off and Fox takes another swig from his goblet, lifting his finger and motioning for the next to be sent in...

...Zydrek looks back over his shoulder, making doubly sure that no one has seen his trek, or followed the little trail he's on. Smiling to himself, though the weight of the gold in his shoulderpack would weigh down a smaller man, he finishes the last 20 yards of his journey. With one last look about him, he knocks his sword against the side of the huge knarled oak, a strangely hollow sound coming from it. A sliding door opens in the trunk, and he disappears from view. Quickly up the steps inside he goes, opening onto a lush room within the tree tops. No normal treehouse awaits him. The silken carpets below his feet match the tapestries on the walls. Various statues of solid gold flank the doorways as he walks through. The carpets give way to intricate mosaic tiles winking in the light, the jewels reflecting back up at him. Seeing the door to his mother's part of the area closed, he shakes his head and wanders back to his section, hoping she'll come out from whatever spell she's working on before dinner. He pauses on his way through the rooms, stopping to hang Thrane on the double dragon hooks put up for it, directly above the matching ones that hold Rufio's old staff. He temporarily dumps his haversack on the floor, looking about himself with satisfaction as he surveys the wealth around him. With a hollered "I'm hungry!" a small boy comes scampering in bare feet, yelling back, "I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!" This small urchin then gets to work in the kitchens, mumbling, "take me off the street, promise streets paved in gold, and all the training I want, and all I seem to do is make sandwiches"...

Brand stares back at the chess set, shaking his head. The castle walls of Apuch feel like their literally closing in. Finally Sanmourn laughs, moving his queen directly in front of Brand's king. "Checkmate! I got you again!" Brand shrugs his shoulder, lifting his glass to his lips as he leans back in his chair. "Oh well, I'll get you tomorrow night as usual...you're winning streak won't last past two nights, it never does." Sanmourn laughs again, though ruefully this time. "Believe me, I know. You'd think we'd get this equal strategy thing over with by now...'course that explains why we're both Heads of the City Guard now instead of just one of us." Brand grins back, "Two heads are better than one, remember? And how goes the archers training today? Any better?" Sanmourn shakes his head again, "I wish...those boys just don't seem to get it." Brand pours Sanmourn another drink in commiseration, "Here, I'll take them tomorrow and give you a break." Sanmourn looks shocked and begins shaking his head, "Oh no, no you don't! And leave me with those blockheads you call Paladins that you've been trying to show how to use a sword?!? Not again! I'll suffer with my archers, thank you very much!"...

...Three riders come up into a small village through the misty rain that has been falling for days. The middle-aged elf stepping out of the doorway from where he was leaning waves at the three riders. "Well met!" he says. "Dreary day, isn't it? Have rooms and food available if you're wishin' to spend the night!" One of the riders replies, "That'll be fine neighbor." as they rein in their horses. The middle-aged inkeeper goes to grab their horses, as the trio dismount, and can't help but overhear. The woman dismounts and begins to say something, but the older elf puts his finger to his lips, silencing her. A chuckle comes from the human fellow as he hands over his reins. The woman begins to speak again, and this time the silencing treatment doesn't work. "I said I was sorry, and I can turn them back. It's just that the trolls were always eating the dwarves, and thinking that the dwarves had it so easy, so I thought if they lived their life for a day, they'd be more understanding. How was I to know they'd stay huge?" The older elf looks at her in a stern manner. "Emma, those were the godawfulest looking creatures I have ever seen in my life...and toothless to boot." Emma breaks in again, "But Aegis..." The older elf puts his hand up again, "And I know you didn't want them eating them anymore, but what on earth were you thinking to put the butterfly wings on that herd of unicorns?" Emma looks down a second, biting her lip, then looks back up with a wistful look. "So they could get away if anyone tried to catch them?" Aegis crosses his arms, tapping one foot, "...and the trees having leaves of gold?" Emma gets an excited look on her face. "Because then they'd be treasured and looked after instead of cut down!" Aegis throws up his hands as he turns and begins walking inside. "Did you bother to think how much they would HURT when they fell on you in the fall?!?!? They've destroyed two elven villages already!" The innkeeper hears one last mumble as they leave him dumbfounded outside. "Talon, c'mon, I need a drink....a STOUT one." The three hurry on into the inn, leaving the poor elf standing outside with the horses impatiently stomping at his feet. The innkeeper leads the horses to the stable, mumbling and pinching himself. "The Ancient One...The Young One...Talon?...They've been dead for years. How could that be? There's no way, I'm losing my mind, the whiskey's finally gotten to me. They're dead, have been dead." His head jerks up suddenly at the sound from the door, landing him squarely on his butt from the sudden movement. Talon's face appears around the framing, a grin on his face. "The rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated." He cocks his head slightly, as if thinking. "Or not." He then vanishes as quickly as he appeared...